Hawaii respects ND secondary

December 24, 2008|JEFF CARROLL Tribune Staff Writer

HONOLULU -- From the time he arrived as Notre Dame's head coach late in 2004, Charlie Weis has made recruiting speed on defense one of his top priorities in the talent acquisition game. The effort has paid off. The Irish secondary, a national laughingstock in some quarters after the ND defense surrendered 617 yards to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl three years ago, has steadily improved and this year ranked 18th in the nation in pass efficiency defense. But against Hawaii in today's Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, the Irish will be facing one of their biggest challenges yet. The Warriors like to fling the ball around the field, and have capable players to get the ball to in receivers Michael Washington and Greg Salas, who both topped 50 receptions this season. But Washington, a 5-foot-9 senior speedster from Pennsylvania, knows this game represents one of his team's biggest challenges to date. "Their secondary is good, to tell you the truth," Washington said. "(Scheme-wise), we haven't seen anything different -- everything we've seen we've also seen against other teams. They've got nice safeties, good corners, nice speed. We have to run our routes and execute to the best of our ability. "I think we match up quite well. In our scheme of offense, everything the defense does gives us an option. You've got to execute to the 'T,' though, because they have make-up speed if we beat 'em deep." The Irish secondary will be depleted because of the absence of sophomore reserve cornerback Gary Gray, a former U.S. Army All-American who stayed home from the trip for "personal reasons." But the Warriors, Washington said, are taking nothing for granted. "It is special," Washington said. "Notre Dame, they always have athletes. They have Army All-Americans, big guys. They have tremendous alumni, Heisman Trophy winners. They have so much prestige -- to come to the island and represent Hawaii against a team like that is exciting. "Notre Dame is Notre Dame, despite their record or what they're going through right now." Turf works for WalkerHold that thoughtPractice time adequateStaff Writer Jeff Carroll (574) 235-6382 jcarroll@sbtinfo.com